Washington, DC–Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid released the following statement on the announcement that a deal had been reached in negotiations on the PATRIOT Act.

“I commend my Republican colleagues for working hard to make the Patriot Act better. Democrats strongly believe we must have all necessary tools to fight terrorism, but we want checks and balances to ensure that these expansive powers are not abused. The deal reached by my Republican colleagues appears to be a step in the right direction.”